The WSBeat: Fire fight with admitted ‘hothead’; wallet full of surprises; more

This edition of The WSBeat contains summaries written from reports on cases handled recently by Southwest Precinct officers – generally cases that (usually) have not already appeared here in breaking-news coverage or West Seattle Crime Watch reports, but that might at least answer the question “what WERE all those police doing on my block?” Or on the bridge, or the beach, or …

*On the 18th, firefighters responded to a “reckless burning” call near 31st and Roxbury. The resident, who was burning leaves in his back yard in violation of the city code, told the firefighters to get off his property. When told he needed to extinguish the flames, the man grabbed the garden hose, sprayed the burn pile, and then sprayed the firefighter. The Battalion Chief was called to the scene and got the same treatment. Officers were called and immediately recognized the suspect as someone with a history of confrontational behavior with Seattle Police as well. After a drawn-out interaction (in which the man said he had a “hot head” and just can’t help it), he was released. Officers recommend he face charges of assault, reckless burning, and false reporting (for giving officers a false name).

Six more summaries ahead:

*A 22-year-old Highland Park resident was taken into custody for probation violations recently. In his possession at the time? A wallet (not his own) that contained several credit and debit cards; two sheets of papers with lists of names, credit card numbers, a laptop, and a driver’s license for a second citizen; and pay statements belonging to a third.

*A high-school couple had an argument. The girl told a friend about it. The friend was upset on the girl’s behalf (as a friend would likely be). But in this case, the friend decided to ratchet things up by asking her stepfather to go beat up the boyfriend. The stepfather apparently agreed and has been sending threatening messages (including threats to kill) to the boy.

*For completely unrelated reasons, an officer was inside a known Arbor Heights “party house” on the 18th. On the wall he saw a list of house rules that noted prices of drinks and guidelines for guests regarding behavior and sexual activity. The home is occupied by a 17-year-old and his mother.

*A citizen called 911 around noon on the 19th after seeing a man walk in and out of traffic at California and Raymond. An officer found him approaching pedestrians aggressively and pointing his hand in the shape of a gun. On that 40-degree day he wore no shirt and was shivering. He carried two bags filled with trash (that smelled of feces). He told the officer he was trying to find a doctor friend and that he, himself, was (among other things), a former Marine, doctor, and secret agent. He admitted he hadn’t eaten since the previous day because he was being chased. The 69-year-old — later identified as a New York resident — was taken to Swedish Hospital for treatment.

*On the 17th, a slumber party in North Delridge turned tragic when a 13-year-old, who was jumping on a bed with a group of her friends, fell backward and out of a window, landing on the pavement 25 feet below. The girl was stabilized by medics and transported to Harborview for treatment.

*Another reminder that police often have to intervene in life-threatening crises that don’t involve crime: A local veteran who suffers from post traumatic stress disorder and hallucinations was transported to the VA hospital for treatment after taking an unknown amount of morphine and threatening suicide because of his constant pain.

==============EDITOR’S NOTES: Remember, the CRISIS CLINIC hotline is a resource for those in crisis, including thoughts or acts of self-harm, or trying to find help for someone in crisis: 206.461.3222 … Previous WSBeat roundups are archived here. We also publish crime reports when we get tips or otherwise hear about noteworthy incidents – they don’t all turn up on the scanner, so please don’t be shy about letting us know when you see/hear something happening = call or text 206-293-6302.

so I’m confused….why was this reckless burning? Did he damage a building/structure etc?

“A person is guilty of reckless burning in the first degree if he recklessly damages a building or other structure or any vehicle, railway car, aircraft or watercraft or any hay, grain, crop, or timber whether cut or standing, by knowingly causing a fire or explosion.